New York marathon runner, 24, suddenly dies two miles before finish line
Rachel Apa had spent months preparing for her first marathon.
The 24-year-old planned to take on the gruelling 26.2 mile New York City Marathon on Monday (2 Nov) in honour of her late grandfather, who died from Parkinson’s disease in 2022, and was raising money for research into the condition.
Tragically, however, what should have been a huge personal milestone ended in heartbreak when Apa collapsed in Central Park at around 1.30pm, with just two miles of the race remaining.
Despite desperate attempts to save her life, the former college field hockey player was pronounced dead in hospital hours later.
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According to The New York Times, a hospital social worker named Michaela Nicholas was among the first to rush to Apa's aid when she first fell.
Nicholas, a spectator, watching on from the 24 mile, had cheered for the woman in green run by with the bib No. 29977 seconds earlier.
"Let’s go, Rachel, you got this!" she says she shouted, having spotted Apa's name on her jersey.
After finding that the young runner - who was otherwise perfectly fit - had no pulse, two doctors who were watching the race took turns performing CPR while waiting for medical assistance to arrive.
Marathon medical staff subsequently arrived with a defibrillator before Apa was rushed to Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Doctors reportedly spent six hours attempting to save her, but she was pronounced dead at 9.40pm, her father, Steve Apa, later revealed.
Speaking about the devastating loss, Steve told The New York Times that his daughter had died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition which causes damaged muscle tissue to break down rapidly, potentially releasing harmful substances into the bloodstream.
Describing the loss of his daughter, he said: "It's unfathomable."
Steve added: "Perfect health, perfect shape, 24 years old."
In an especially heartbreaking detail, he also revealed the final messages he exchanged with Apa as she made her way around the marathon course.
While he was following her progress from their hometown of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, Apa's mum, Michelle, had travelled to New York to support her daughter in person.
Michelle had even managed to capture a video of her daughter smiling as she passed Mile 14 in Queens.
But just four miles later, Apa sent her dad a message which suggested she was struggling.
At Mile 18, she simply texted: "Ow." A mile later, another message followed: "Ow ow."
Despite the apparent pain, Apa continued pushing towards the finish line, sending her father one final update at Mile 23.
"final stretch," she penned.
It was the last message he would receive from his daughter.
Meanwhile, Michelle was making her way towards Central Park, hoping to watch Apa complete the race, when she noticed something was wrong.
After checking the marathon tracking app, she realised Apa's location had stopped moving at Mile 24.
She rushed towards the area, arriving just as paramedics were transporting her daughter to hospital, after which she followed in a separate ambulance.
Nicholas, the hospital social worker who had rushed to help Apa, later told The New York Times that she held the young woman's hand after she collapsed so that she would know she was not alone.
Apa, a graduate of Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, had chosen to take on the marathon as a tribute to her grandfather, who had been a huge influence on her love of sport and staying active.
In a fundraising message shared ahead of the race, she explained the personal significance behind her decision.
"My grandfather was my role model growing up. He taught me to stay active, push my limits, and embrace challenges, shaping my love for sports and movement," Apa previously wrote.
She went on to explain how difficult it had been to watch Parkinson's disease gradually take away the freedom of movement her grandfather had once loved.
He died in 2022, but Apa said the lessons he had taught her continued to inspire her.
Away from running, Apa worked as a product manager for an electrical components company while also pursuing an MBA at Charleston Southern University.
Following her death, New York Road Runners, the organisation behind the marathon, confirmed that she was the first participant to die during the event since 2024.
In a statement, the organisation said: "We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our runners following yesterday's race. Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with the runner's family, friends, and the entire running community."
Rhianna Benson
